Performers bring festive cheer

SHOPS across Henley will transform into stages this Sunday for the first Henley High Street Hootenanny.

There will be carol singing, exhibitions, readings, music and children’s events at many of the 80 participating retailers.

Dance troupe Stephanie’s Stage Stop will kick things off by the Christmas tree in Market Place at 10.30am. As the shops open at 11am the first in-store performance will take place at Jonkers bookshop in Hart Street, which will host

Night Before Christmas children’s activities, with a guest appearance from Father Christmas.

Authors Mike Read and Amanda Jennings will arrive at 12.30pm to read some festive favourites and at 2.30pm Mr Toad from the the River and Rowing Museum will be paying a visit.



Young musicians Acoustic@Magoos swap their regular home for pop-up gigs at Boatique, Friday Street, at 12.30pm and Reading Road’s Central Home at 3pm.

The Henley Music School promise some Christmas classics at the Bell Bookshop, in Bell Street, at 1pm and Louise Claire Millinery in Market Place at 2pm.

The Kenton Theatre, in New Street, will be open from 1pm to 3pm, with face painting, free ice cream and Dame Trott from this year’s pantomime,

Jack & the Beanstalk. Oxfam on Duke Street will host children’s storytellings at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm.

Fresh from selling out the Kenton with

Anything Goes, HAODS will be singing carols in Sue Ryder at 2.30pm and outside Vinegar Hill at 3.30pm.

The Bohun Gallery on Reading Road will give shoppers the first chance to see their special Christmas Boxes exhibition. Meanwhile, menswear retailer No.27 will be showing paintings.

Henley historian Elizabeth Hazeldine, a sell-out at the last two Henley Literary Festivals, will be giving a free walking tour of the town centre, leaving from St Mary’s Church at 12pm.

Hart Street florist White Gdn will be demonstrating wreath making throughout the day, while Duke Street tearoom Upstairs & Downstairs will have tea readings.